Among all types of bee products, honey from chestnut flowers is rare due to the fact that these trees grow only in the southern regions of our country: in Abkhazia, in the Caucasus, in the Crimea, in the Krasnodar Territory. On the shelves of shops you can also find honey from apiaries in France and Italy – the main world importer of the “sweet doctor”. This explains its considerable cost, as well as healing properties and unique taste. Chestnut honey has a rich tart smell and unusual texture, which depend on the climatic conditions of growth and the type of tree.
What is chestnut honey
Bees collect their nectar from the flowers of perennial trees, producing mouth-watering, nutritious fruits. In many countries they are eaten. The type of honey plant from which the honey harvest is collected determines the characteristics of the bee product. The chestnut blooms for a short time – only 2 or 3 weeks in late spring – early summer, in mountainous conditions later – in July.
Experienced beekeepers under impeccable climatic conditions collect up to 6 centners of the finished product from each hectare of planting. Statistical data claim that from the collected from 1 hectare of chestnut pollen, approximately 1 quintal of high-grade honey is obtained. A small amount of the product is offset by its merits. The highest quality honey is obtained from mountain apiaries.
Bees take nectar from two types of plants: sowing (edible) and horse (wild) chestnuts. These plants belong to different families: sapindian and beech. Sowing (real, noble) is distinguished by an unusual coloring of petals covered with yellowish blots, which later change their shade to orange-red. At the same time, the scent of the flower is transformed. By this, he kind of signals to the bees about his readiness for the beginning of honey collection. Sowing chestnut honey is obtained:
- dark brown with a reddish tint;
- liquid fine-grained consistency;
- does not become sugar for a long time.
Horse chestnut honey is even different in appearance:
- transparency;
- light brown;
- fast crystallization;
- specific bitter smell.
The bees choose the routes of their flights themselves, so honey is most often obtained from different types of chestnuts. This results in exquisite taste, a special aroma and enhances the healing properties.
Important!
The smell and taste depend on the weather conditions: in the absence of precipitation in spring during the collection of nectar, a special taste and bouquet become more intense and bright.
Obtaining chestnut honey
The bee product is harvested in the middle of summer. Beekeepers move the hives to the chestnut groves specially in advance and even in some cases hang them on the trees. The miniature size of the flowers and the short flowering time are the reasons for the small volume of honey obtained. Often it is necessary to pump out a sweet product from not fully filled houses.
Interesting!
The bees themselves like chestnut nectar very much and has a beneficial effect on their well-being. A weakened bee colony released near the chestnut grove becomes stronger, healthier, and more efficient.
Often insects cannot stop even after sunset, because of this they lose their way to their apiary in the forest and disappear.
Chemical composition and calorific value
The taste and medicinal qualities of honey directly depend on its composition. The structure of the bee product is rather complex. It includes more than 3 dozen different healthy ingredients:
- vitamins C, E, K, PP, group B;
- 20 micro and macro elements (iron, sodium, phosphorus, zinc, iodine, fluorine);
- carbohydrates;
- polysaccharides;
- fructose;
- enzymes;
- amino acids;
- phytoncides.
The optimum moisture content is no more than 18-20%. Exceeding this amount confirms the artificial origin of the product.
Carbohydrates are the most important ingredient. However, the lack of fat and minimal protein content do not make the product on the dietary list.
Interesting!
Unlike other sweet types of honey, chestnut nectar contains a minimal amount of sugar. Rather, it is characterized by a slight bitterness. It does not indicate low quality, on the contrary, it is an indicator of the authenticity of the product.
The energy value of 100 g of chestnut honey is about 285 kcal – the lowest among all varieties of “sweet medicine”.
Norms and rules of consumption
Chestnut honey is used for therapy and prevention. Natural remedies give the best results when taken in their natural form.
The low calorie level allows you to regularly include it in the diet. The specific taste makes it possible to observe the measure in use – you will not eat a lot of such honey. Despite the valuable healing properties, the recommendations of nutritionists limit the daily consumption of bee delicacies – no more than 120 g per day. Small children can be given 1-2 tbsp. l. per day (40-50 g).
In order not to harm health with individual sensitivity or serious diagnoses, you should consult your doctor on how to take a folk remedy. To minimize the risk and enhance the beneficial effect of chestnut honey, certain rules of use can be followed:
- avoiding alcohol, which will negate the benefits of antioxidants;
- course product intake from 2 to 6 months for therapy and prevention;
- combining it with pollen, propolis and royal jelly;
- quitting smoking or reducing tobacco consumption;
- use pure, do not stir in hot liquid.
Advice!
Chestnut honey is added to baked goods only for taste and smell. Heat treatment (heating over 60 degrees) reduces the benefits of honey, and sometimes makes it harmful to health.
Useful properties of chestnut honey
The beekeeping product has long been widely used by folk healers who know how chestnut honey is useful for various diseases. He shows:
- bactericidal qualities capable of neutralizing pathogenic microflora, fighting infection;
- antiseptic properties in inflammatory diseases of many systems;
- preventive immunostimulating action that increases resistance to viruses, microbes, colds;
- restores the body’s energy costs after an illness or physical exertion;
- improves the functioning of the digestive tract thanks to enzymes, eliminates congestion;
- normalizes the activity of the cardiovascular system, blood pressure;
- removes harmful toxins, waste slags;
- heals skin lesions.
Chestnut honey with its beneficial properties is not addictive, so it can be rationally used for a very long time.
For women
The unique vitamin composition of the healing agent favors the normalization of the hormonal background of women, thereby reducing the symptoms of menopause. Chestnut honey helps in the treatment of gynecological diseases, facilitates the treatment of genitourinary pathologies. Its use improves mood, activates metabolism. A huge role for women is played by the cosmetic effect achieved by taking a bee product: due to the enrichment of cells with oxygen, the elasticity of the skin increases, the quality of hair and nails increases.
For men
Experts say that regular consumption of chestnut honey:
- contributes to the overall health of the male body;
- strengthens the immune defense;
- replenishes energy;
- improves health, mood;
- increases potency.
The natural remedy is used in combination in the treatment of problems of the genitourinary system. Taking it reduces the risk of prostate diseases.
For children
Chestnut honey has a beneficial effect on children’s health. In the absence of contraindications and the correct dosage, the use of a bee product helps babies to replenish the missing vitamins and amino acids. The natural remedy has a positive effect on many functions of the child’s body: it stimulates appetite, improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, respiration, and blood supply to organs. Honey is especially useful for girls diagnosed with thyroid pathology. The product normalizes hormones.
For pregnant
During the period of bearing a child, in order not to harm the fetus, women are not recommended to take many medications. A successful substitute for medicines is traditional medicine. The beneficial substances contained in honey perfectly maintain well-being during pregnancy:
- enhance immunity;
- normalize sleep;
- get rid of toxins;
- helps with colds;
- reduce the symptoms of toxicosis.
The product will bring benefits only if used correctly, without individual intolerance. You should definitely consult with an allergist. The daily dose is not more than 100 g (2-3 tablespoons), divided into 3 servings half an hour before meals.
Are there any contraindications
Chestnut honey, like all other bee products, in addition to valuable medicinal properties, has some limitations. Doctors can voice useful properties and contraindications, the main one being individual sensitivity. The appearance of allergic symptoms (swelling, rashes, itching, lightheadedness, diarrhea) is a signal for urgent refusal of the remedy. Excessive portions of sweet treats can be harmful to your health. This applies to patients with hypotension, overweight, diabetes mellitus. They should be careful when taking honey in minimal portions.
Healing action
It is common knowledge that prevention is the best treatment. In the early stages of the disease, a folk remedy is usually most effective. The benefits and harms of honey have been researched for a long time.
Chestnut honey is used in a variety of ways. The best effect is seen when consumed in its pure form. Many people like to dilute it in warm (not hot) tea or water, just spread it on bread. Often the product is added to culinary products, it is included in the composition of medicines according to folk recipes.
With colds
Vitamin remedy facilitates the course of viral diseases, accelerates recovery. Absorption 1 tsp. honey 5 times a day improves health, normalizes temperature, softens the throat. Drinking tea with honey and lemon, intensive rinsing of the throat with decoctions of medicinal herbs (melilot) with the addition of honey every 3-4 hours helps. Some healers recommend a mixture of garlic and bee product. The therapy is carried out for 2 weeks.
For cough relief
There are several recipes for reducing the intensity of the cough, easing the soreness and sore throat:
- It is effective to use a mixture of honey with radish or its fresh juice in a ratio of 1: 2. Take the remedy for 1 tbsp. every one and a half to two hours.
- A useful composition includes aloe juice, vegetable oil (2 tablespoons each) with 100 g of honey. It cures cough in 2-3 days.
- Warm tea with lemon and 1 tbsp. l. honey has a calming effect if you drink it before bed.
- Helps to cough up a drink with milk and 1 tbsp. l. honey.
Each patient chooses for himself the recipe that he likes.
Kidney
For the treatment of renal pathologies, recipes of medicinal herbal preparations with the addition of honey are fruitfully used. A good result is provided by a rosehip decoction (0,5 l) with 15 g of chestnut beekeeping product. The broth can be replaced with a diluted pharmacy tincture of rose hips. Instead of berry infusion, radish juice (200 ml) is suitable – the action is similar. A mixture of vegetable oil, lemon juice and honey in a 1: 1: 1 ratio helps to remove sand from the kidneys.
Urolithiasis disease
The healing qualities of chestnut honey are successfully used to treat the inflammatory process in the kidneys and remove the sand formed as a result of the dissolution of stones. The remedy is effective in combination with medicinal herbs.
Chopped calamus root (1 tbsp. L.) Is mixed with chestnut honey slightly warmed up in a water bath and take 3 tsp. 1 time per day before meals. For the prevention of the disease, decoctions (per 200 ml of boiling water) of barberry, birch (40 g) or strawberry (30 g) leaves are used in a mixture with 1-2 tbsp. l. honey.
Fast healing of burns and wounds
The anti-inflammatory effect of chestnut honey is used in the treatment of scratches, ulcers, minor external injuries, and suppurations. A mixture of a bee product with flour is diluted with warm water and a compress is made from this agent on the affected area. It is effective to make a composition from honey with sea buckthorn oil in a ratio of 1: 2. Alternative recipe: a mixture of fish oil with honey in a ratio of 1: 4 and the addition of 2 g of Xeroform ointment. The use of such lotions will eliminate the risk of inflammation and accelerate the healing of injuries.
Treatment of varicose veins
With the expansion of the veins of the lower extremities, honey compresses are successfully used. Along with them, oral administration is effective. The therapeutic fees for the treatment of this pathology include chestnut flowers, which have a beneficial effect on blood vessels. The healing composition of honey relieves the suffering of patients with problem veins, relieves swelling of the legs. The agent is applied to cotton fabric, placed on the affected areas, covered with a film on top and the bandage is fixed. For the first time, the session lasts 2 hours, in the next 2 days the exposure time is increased to 4 hours, then you can keep the bandage all night.
With gastritis and stomach ulcers
For the treatment of gastroenterological diseases, the curative is used in pure and diluted form. In solution, useful substances act more productively due to their rapid absorption into the bloodstream and delivery to the cells. In chronic gastritis, a course intake (3 months) of honey supplements in dietary dishes recommended for this pathology helps.
A more complex multicomponent recipe is intended for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. It is prepared from 200 g of chopped carrots, 140 g of walnuts, mixed with 230 ml of chestnut honey. Butter gives the dish an exquisite taste. Consume 1 tbsp. l. twice a day, half an hour before meals.
Important!
With increased acidity of gastric juice, doctors do not recommend taking the drug before meals.
An effective recipe for a mixture of honey with chilled for one and a half weeks and crushed 10 aloe leaves with honey in a ratio of 1:10. Take 1 tbsp. l. on an empty stomach in the morning. Effective chamomile broth (2 tbsp. L. Per 200 ml of boiling water), in which, after cooling, put 1 tsp. honey.
Eye treatment
Chestnut honey in combination with medicinal herbs is effective in the treatment of the organs of vision for the manufacture of decoctions, lotions, tampons. 200 ml of the product is added to 1 liter of the infusion of dry blueberry leaves, kept in the dark for 12 hours, soaked in cotton pads with the solution and applied to the eyes. Honey water (1 tablespoon per glass of liquid) is used for lotions and rinsing the eyes.
The inflammatory process is eliminated by tampons soaked in a mixture of honey with onion juice and clover broth. In addition, the daily use of the product due to the vitamin composition significantly improves vision.
Strengthening potency
Chestnut honey is an excellent aphrodisiac, the strongest of all types of product due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Reception 1 tbsp. l. the product in its pure form with milk or tea well supports male potency. Effectively using a mixture of 1 tbsp. l. chestnut honey with 100 g of walnuts. Dosage – 1 tbsp. l. 3 hours before bedtime.
Chestnut honey in cosmetology
The healing qualities of the product have long been successfully used in aesthetic skin and hair care. Many girls prefer natural substances. They do not trust chemical care products, they are afraid of a negative reaction. The cosmetic industry has mastered folk recipes with natural honey.
For facial skin
Thanks to the valuable ingredients, the beekeeping product is suitable for the manufacture of therapeutic masks for problem skin. They heal small skin defects, relieve acne, peeling, excessive dryness. Vitamin remedy in combination with medicinal plants:
- disinfects and cleanses the skin;
- eliminates sore and sore spots;
- eliminates blackheads;
- softens and evens out the face;
- makes it elastic, silky, healthy.
A banana slice mask, 1 tsp, softens dry skin. 10% cream with honey. The mixture is applied for 0,5 hours, then washed.
A mask of honey and starch (1 tsp) removes oily shine and early wrinkles. The composition is applied to the face and washed off after 20 minutes.
Hair beauty and health
A beekeeping product helps to cope with the problem of weak and split ends, and stops hair loss. Honey masks improve the condition of the skin on the head, strengthen the hair. Prepare them from grated onions mixed with 4-5 tbsp. l. chestnut nectar. The resulting elixir is applied to the hair roots, kept for half an hour, then washed off. The onion smell is easily eliminated by chamomile broth.
The difference between natural honey and fake
Due to the insufficient distribution of honey trees in the world, the short collection period, the complexity of the extraction of the product, it can be difficult to find it on sale. The demand often exceeds the supply, which is used by unscrupulous manufacturers. In order not to buy fake chestnut honey, you need to know how to identify a fake. The substance is characterized by a special color, consistency, aroma. It smells good, has a tart bitter aftertaste. The dark color is often faked with burnt sugar.
There are several methods for testing the quality of honey. An old test will show a color change. If you put a chemical pencil in a spoonful of honey, the lead will turn blue. This means that the product is fake, diluted with sugar syrup. The natural product will remain homogeneous.
You can check the authenticity of the product with a paper sheet. A little honey is dripped on it and set on fire. The real substance is not afraid of fire.
Already in August, honey cannot be liquid – it crystallizes quickly.
Advice!
Authenticity guarantee – purchasing a medicinal product from trusted sellers.
Storage at home
The correct content of honey from chestnuts will fully preserve its healing properties for 2 years. It is undesirable to pack the product in a plastic container. For this, it is best to use a ceramic or glass container with a hermetically sealed lid.
Usually, the substance is kept in a dark place, excluding direct sunlight, at a temperature not exceeding 20 degrees C, away from the windowsill, stove or microwave. Do not place the jar near products with a pungent odor that overpowers the chestnut aroma.
Under optimal conditions, the benefits of honey will be fully preserved.
The healing qualities of honey are due to the abundance of valuable substances. It helps in the treatment of many diseases, but it can cause allergies. Therefore, it is recommended to take it with caution after consulting a specialist.
